Kovalchuk drama taking place outside of Thrasherville…thankfully
Monday July 19. U-Day +18 of this summer’s UFA signing season. Many big name free agents have inked contracts with new teams, some have made their way to Russia and a few more are still waiting for the right team to offer up the right terms.
The biggest name on that “still yet to be signed list” is of course one Mr. Ilya Kovalchuk.
Once the face of the Thrashers franchise, Ilya Kovalchuk now faces the prospect of listening to offers that would pay less than what he could have made in Atlanta (AP photo)
Over the course of the past two and a half weeks, many rumors and rumor of rumors have had Kovy going such places as Long Island, back to New Jersey or even returning home to mother Russia. But Los Angeles still seems to be the chic pick by most as to where he’ll eventually land. As such, ever since July 1 we’ve been treated to tweet after tweet from [insert name of ‘tweeter’ here] telling us that they are 92.8% sure Kovalchuk is almost definitely going to sign with LA…maybe even as soon as tomorrow morning.
But tomorrow morning comes and all we are greeted with is more tweeters tweeting they are sure that this is the day.
So how must it feel to be a Kings fan the days… sitting on the edge of their seat, ear to the radio, face to the computer screen, nose to the twitter account…as they await the almost certain coming news that Kovy is heading to SoCal? Well, here’s something that may helpto depict how this drama is playing out in the L.A. twitterverse, (thanks to my good friend “Russian”).
And now that we’re deep into week number three of this saga, some pundits are beginning to opine as to how the Russian winger has misread the market as well as suggested how he could have/should have handled the situation from the get-go. (Note here how Steven Ovadia has used another former Thrasher, Marian Hossa, to illustrate his point).
I would also like to remind you that stringing out contract talks isn’t exactly a new thing for Ilya Kovalchuk and his agent. You’ll no doubt remember that we here in Thrasherville were treated to our own version of “As the Kovalchuk Turns” back in the summer of 2005. That year he waited so long to sign a deal that we were minus his services for the first three games of the season.
If he were so inclined, would you care to see Ilya Kovalchuk signed by the Thrashers?
- Yes! I'd sign him at any price! (6%, 13 Votes)
- Sure, but not at $9-$10 mil per season (47%, 96 Votes)
- No! Not at any price! (47%, 95 Votes)
Total Voters: 204
Loading ...So if there is to be a repeat of that holdout drama, then Kovy-Watch ’10 as only just begun.
About the only thing that seems to be certain regarding Ilya’s summer adventure this time is that he’s not going to get the same coin as the Thrashers offered up to him last winter. $10 million for 3 to 7 years or somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 mil for 12 years is now seems surely out of the question for Kovy.
So just where will Kovalchuk eventual wind up…and when will he wind up there? shrugs…I dunno. But all I can say is that I’m glad happy thrilledecstatic that Thrasherville is not the site of this particular saga.
In fact, I’m sorta looking forward this coming season in which the Thrashers aren’t having to deal with such distractions. You know, distractions such as whether or not superstars like Marian Hossa or Ilya Kovalchuk will re-sign…or if Kari Lehtonen’s back/groin/[insert issue here] will keep him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
Quite frankly…Thrasherville can do without the drama.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
258 comments Add your comment
Jason
July 19th, 2010
5:34 pm
200th
Badger Bob
July 19th, 2010
5:45 pm
Seriously, Stroz announcement of where he’s sitting next season was bigger that this.
Red Light
July 19th, 2010
5:45 pm
Now that that’s over, maybe we can all take a 30-day hiatus and refrain from discussing Ilya Kovalchuk for awhile. I think it has all been said time and time again.
Bill: Take the last word and lets move on!
schroeder
July 19th, 2010
5:51 pm
Thank you RED LIGHT, Ilya plays for NJ, lets get back to THRASHER news I am up to here with all the machinations of Lou and all that is NEW JERSEY. TIME TO MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rawhide
July 19th, 2010
5:54 pm
Did they pay you off, Rawhide? Our posters thought it would be a programming anouncement earlier, but you reiterated “major” announcement. FM coverage on 97.9 is a welcome improvement, but this is more of a “Hmm, that’s nice” than a “Wow”.
Badger Bob – Paid off, no…but that would be nice. I have one kid in college and the other is a senior in HS. That, plus with taxes set to go higher come January 1, I could use the extra payolla.
However, I don’t think I reiterated “major announcement” my friend. My 2:05 post simply indicated I thought people would want to tune in to hear for themselves. That plus I had indicated that Kincade’s tweet indicated it was a programming announcement at 1:18.
As for the “major announcement” itself…well, it certainly is for 680. They now will be the flagship station for 3 of the 4 pro sports teams in Atlanta. Oh, and I do like the fact that they will be adding a coach Ramsay show too.
But I did text Kincade today and told him they should also add a Rawhide’s Roundup after the game too
Now that that’s over, maybe we can all take a 30-day hiatus and refrain from discussing Ilya Kovalchuk for awhile. I think it has all been said time and time again….Bill: Take the last word and lets move on!
Red Light – Thank you…and I agree. However, since my wife and youngest tax exemption just arrived home from several days down at the lake house, I’m going to take them out to dinner now. You guys can hash this out some more…then I’ll see about posting a new “ilya-Free” blog later.
Yes…time to move on.
R. Stroz
July 19th, 2010
5:56 pm
Section 222 is more entertaining than Kincade and Belue.
Brendan
July 19th, 2010
5:56 pm
Joe Friday, I think Lou pulled one off, that’s for sure. Unless the NHL steps in to say, “Sorry, Devils, but just so you know … if Kovy retires after 13 years, with 4 years left on the 17-year deal, your cap will still count the Kovalchuk contract to the tune of $6 million, even after he’s gone.” That would be fair. That would make GM’s “re-think” the concept of a 17-year contract. They’d have to deal with ramifications of the contract they made, whether the player is there … or not. That’s fair. It truly is. “You made a contract; now honor it.” As in, “Buyer beware.” If this guy retires early, you don’t get out of this deal. You suffer the cap hit whether he plays or not. At least this way, the markets that couldn’t bid on Kovalchuk, like a Carolina, or an Edmonton, or a Buffalo … can … 17 years later, watch that “rich market” suffer the consequences. Of course, that will be of little consolation to them, if Carolina, Edmonton and Buffalo don’t have any titles during those 17 years, while the Devils add 3-4 more.
For Kovalchuk, he’d better deliver, after all this. Lou lent him his ‘good name.’ Lou stuck his neck out pretty far to pull this one off. If the Devils don’t win some Cups, I doubt Lou will be satisfied that the Devils at least soldout all 41 home games and all playoff games. That’s not enough. New Jersey has to bring home the hardware. And they’re already “overdue,” by the STANDARDS of great GM’s. Lou’s last cup appearance and win was 2003, six seasons ago. Time to deliver.
I say … we go HARD after Zajac, and get some talent up the middle. What do we really have? Antropov. Not a Tier I guy, and he usually played on the wing. Bryan Little. Not a Tier I guy, and he’s being misutilized as a winger, instead of his natural center position. Rich Peverley. Awesome waiver claim, but still not a Tier I guy. Jim Slater. Well, he’s a 4th liner. Todd White. That’s just a seat in the pressbox. Chris Thorburn. Again, nothing to write home about. Cormier? First, he’s got to make it to the NHL. I still say we’re not strong enough up the middle. We need at least two quality centers. Let’s get Zajac. And try not to let them talk us into either Zubrus or Rolston to make it happen.
Badger Bob
July 19th, 2010
5:58 pm
I shouldn’t have dissed you, Rawhide. I’m just pissed at media coverage for the Thrashers in general and this is just anouther example. This may have been big for the Hawks or 680, but it is a very minimal for the Thrashers (and surely a let down for any Thrashers folks listening in). Whatever. We got RFAs to focus on now.
Brendan
July 19th, 2010
6:00 pm
I meant that Antropov, prior to becoming a Thrasher, spent time on the wing. He was converted to being a center here, in Atlanta.
Rawhide
July 19th, 2010
6:01 pm
Badger Bob – I took it as no slight my friend. We be cool
Now…off to dinner. You guys mind the store while I’m away!
Brendan
July 19th, 2010
6:06 pm
By the time I get home, I’ve lost the 680TheFan signal. And by then, my only chance to hear the radio broadcast is by calling in to the TacoMac “postgame show.” (Which I do!)
I didn’t let myself think that the announcement was that we’d be getting new ownership of the Thrashers. Though, how hilarious would that be? At least, potentially, Kovalchuk wanted to stay in Atlanta with committed ownership for winning the Cup. And the day he signed elsewhere, we got that very ownership installed. That would have been laden with irony.
I have to admit, Kovy looks good in a Devils uniform. I wonder if, in their desperation to win a Cup, that NJ will go out and recruit Satan’s help. Uhh, Miroslav Satan. It’s gotta happen eventually. Why not, now?
World Be Free
July 19th, 2010
6:18 pm
Does this mean Lou Lam has a 17 year plan?
Lemurs
July 19th, 2010
6:50 pm
One thing to keep in mind is that the CBA is about to expire, and there will be a new one in place. No one knows what that CBA will look like, what kind of caps it will put in place, and what kind of grandfather and exemption rules it might include. They could change the pro-rate calculations, they could shift percentage around, they could grandfather in contracts past a certain rate, they could introduce something like a “Franchise Player” concept. You just don’t know. So while for the next couple of seasons this contract matters, after that point the new CBA will matter more. THAT will decide if it is a good contract or not…and guess who helps negotiate the CBA? The same GMs who have been handing out these contracts…
Brendan
July 19th, 2010
6:58 pm
I think the current CBA got extended by one year, to 2012. So, we’re safe from work stoppages until then, I suppose.
Jack
July 19th, 2010
7:36 pm
I am thinking now that the Kchoke signing is done, we will have big news signinga FA or a trade somewhere in the next 7 days.
Fan from Carolina
July 19th, 2010
7:39 pm
I predict Kovy will thrive in NJ.
Note to Lightning: Nice pickup and a great top two lines BUT who is going to play defense? Every game is going to be 7-6. Looking forward to some wild Thrashers/Lightning games.
Jethro
July 19th, 2010
7:56 pm
That thare Kovalchump feller reelly pulled up his skirt, sum peepel call it uh kilt, and showed thems Los Angeles folks that tha moon ain’t shinin on them.
I always thunk that guy wuz sum kinda lazy devil wurshiper anyway. Anyone that wont lookya straight in tha eye, well ya cant trust um.
Beesides anyone hirin a guy named grossman as uh repreescentative just aint wright in the head.
I bethcha them yankees aint gonna bee likin his figure skatin ways and they use sum nasty words that Kovalchump aint accustumed too down heere.
Oh well, ya made yur bed so now yur sleppin with the devil Kovalchump. I always wundered what wuld happen if ya crossed Minnie Mouse with uh devil.
Im uh guessin we’re abouta find out.
R. Stroztradamus
July 19th, 2010
8:22 pm
I predict Kovy will re-sign with the Devils in July of 2010.
Brendan – Are you impressed?
Alan R.
July 19th, 2010
8:28 pm
Geez. Lou Lam can’t honestly expect this contract to get NHL approval, can he??
Star Trib source on Kovalchuk contract: Goes 6, 6, 5 years of 11.5, 10.5, 8.5, 6.5, 3.5, then 750, 550, 550, 550, 550, 550. AAV: 6 mill – Russostrib
World Be Free
July 19th, 2010
8:31 pm
Brendan, I think/hope has a plan laid out to get under the cap without having to move one of his core players. This is not the youngest team in the league, that’s for sure.
And you are right on-Kovalchuk better deliver! I wonder how Lou is going to get Parise under the cap next year. Problem with this deal is that Parise’s agent will want something big too. Will Elias be a player moved? He can help a team today!
219 posts-I thought this wasn’t a hockey town?
Jack
July 19th, 2010
9:13 pm
Any word from Mr. V . I know he has been carrying Braves stuff, but have not seen anything from him for awhile. Hopefully he is on an island enjoying himself.
Joe Friday
July 19th, 2010
10:48 pm
Wow, $11.5m per year, that’s highest ever, right? And Lou built in a one year window in 8 Years ti
e to be able to trade him? Brilliant deal for all. Wow
R. Stroz
July 19th, 2010
11:16 pm
Does Bettman “turtle up” again and let Lou make a mockery of the CBA?
Lemurs
July 20th, 2010
2:26 am
R. Stroz: Not sure what you mean by that…the contract is either legal or it is not. It might not be in the spirit of the CBA, but the spirit doesn’t matter, only the negotiated contract. Bettman just can’t come out and say: “Listen I know it’s in the rules, but I am going to veto it because that’s not what I meant!” That’s what kids do on the playground. In the world of multibillion dollar business, if you try that stunt you get taken to court, and you lose. What I do think this will acomplish is a tightening of the rules of contracts for the next CBA.
Remember folks 17 years in the scope of the NHL means there will probably be at least 2, maybe 3 more CBAs negotiated DURING THIS CONTRACT. The chances of this thing hurting NJ 8-10 years from now is unlikely given the trends of contracts over the last 10 years, recession, lockout, and all.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2010
5:51 am
J/F, it’s all brilliant if he delivers. It’s still a huge contract; we see with Vinny in TB that he a player is judged by their accomplishments relative to the size of their contract. Nobody sits around with their calculator and figures our the player’s cap hit, they want to know if he can produce. Injuries do not matter to fans, the player gets paid full value to matter what. So he better produce for the life of the contract.
Can’t believe Philly got Matt Walker. Flyers fans will love him by the end of the training camp.
VAThrasher
July 20th, 2010
6:31 am
Can’t believe no one’s mentioned this: “Atlanta had put out a four- or five-year deal with an average of $7.5 or $8 million. There’s no way we can fold in that AAV, but they can, because it’s only Bogosian and Kane there.” http://lakingsinsider.com/2010/07/19…quotes-part-i/
Looks like we were in the mix after all, which is a good thing as it shows that ownership was still willing to pony up some significant coin. My bet is part of that $7.5 – 8 now goes to Poni or Afinogenov.
R. Stroz
July 20th, 2010
7:32 am
Lemurs – According to Ben Wright, on page 115 of the NHL CBA, there is a clause that lets the league strike down attempts to circumvent the spirit of the rules.
Now, I haven’t read the NHL CBA myself, so I’m taking Ben Wright’s word for it. I imagine Mr. Wright had someone show him where to find it, such as Larry Simmons.
Also, according to capgeek.com, here is the bearkdown of Kovy’s contract:
http://capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=339
Joe Friday
July 20th, 2010
8:27 am
“According to Ben Wright, on page 115 of the NHL CBA, there is a clause that lets the league strike down attempts to circumvent the spirit of the rules.”
Stroz, apparently Luongo’s contract is structured similarly as is Hossa’s and several others. And Hossa’s contract pays him until he’s 43 yrs old, so Kovy going to 44 isn’t out of the accepted norm. Precedence here means the league can’t do anything about Kovy’s contract, it’s done. Now in the next CBA, I fully expect that they’ll fix this loophole, but Luongo, Hoss, Kovy et all are horses out of that barn, won’t be able to change them. What a brilliant move by Grossman and by Sweet Lou, just pure genius.
And he’s getting $11.5m per year for 5 straight years? Highest paid NHL player by far, he hit the jackpot with free agency, but then again, that was a given seeing how he was the biggest profile free agent to ever hit at such a young age.
“Looks like we were in the mix after all”
I’m sure there were many teams in the mix. It wasn’t just the Kings and the Devils, they were just the last two teams left standing as the bidding kept going up. There was a lot of demand for him, which is why the price went this high, but again, that was a given in that he was the only prize this offseason and the highest profile guy to ever hit UFA.
Let’s hope Wadudley move on quickly and pick up Frolov for us, I might be happy with Stempeniak also.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2010
9:11 am
Frolov or Stepniak would be great pickups; but I believe it will take 3 year deals at $4M / year to get either of them, so that makes them unlikely candidates. Still say it is Max or nothing. We still have RFAs to sign before they go to the ugly process of arbitration.
The salary wallet has opened ever so slightly.
kracker
July 20th, 2010
9:11 am
My 2 cents: Kovalchuk, Lamoriello, Grossman. Thy names are forever synonomous with slease for serving to further wreck the salary structure of an already fractured professional sports league. Not to mention totally giving the middle finger to the rest of the league and any sense of fair play.
Lamoriello should be GMing in DC, he is as without scruples as any politician.
Yeah, I voted today so I’m not of a mind to look the other way at unconscionable behavior.
Badger Bob
July 20th, 2010
9:12 am
VAT – good pick up (this link worked better for me, scrolling down to “Quotes, Part 1″: http://lakingsinsider.com/author/admin/).
Grossman said NJD, NYI, LAK and SKA St. Petersburg “talked with Kovalchuk”. Dean Lombardi says there was an Atlanta offer on the table. We can’t believe Grossman; not sure if we can believe Lombardi. I am encouraged that there may be that much coin on the table here ($55 – 57M salary). Probably too good to be true.
Alan R.
July 20th, 2010
9:24 am
Any word from Mr. V
For what it’s worth, he posted this on Twitter this morning:
“A desperate plea: Need 4,000 followers (work eval). Are there more Thrashers and NHL fans out there with thirst for news? #Thrashers #NHL”
So if you got a moment, sign up for Twitter, find the name ajcthrashers, and follow him. Typically, things hit Twitter before they hit the blog page anyway. It’s just a much quicker medium for small tidbits of info to come down.
TableHockey
July 20th, 2010
9:28 am
Echoing Alan’s message – if you are on Twitter please follow Chris @ajcthrashers. He posts a lot of good stuff and it will help him with his annual review with the AJC.
If you guys haven’t seen Kovalchuks unofficial official numbers here they are:
2010-11: $6 million
2011-12: $6 million
2012-13: $11.5 million
2013-14: $11.5 million
2014-15: $11.5 million
2015-16: $11.5 million
2016-17: $11.5 million
2017-18: $10.5 million
2018-19: $8.5 million
2019-20: $6.5 million
2020-21: $3.5 Million
2021-22: $750,000
2022-23: $550,000
2023-24: $550,000
2024-25: $550,000
2025-26: $550,000
2026-27: $550,000
Alan R.
July 20th, 2010
9:32 am
TH – There’s no F’in way Kovalchuk plays after the 2020-2021 season, if this contract were to stand. The final six years of his deal puts his average salary at $583k/yr. I honestly can’t see the league allowing this contract to stand. Then again, stranger things have happened (4-4 OT, “The trapezoid,” etc).
GaVaHokie
July 20th, 2010
9:35 am
It would be really funny if this deal gets rejected and this goes on for another month.
kracker
July 20th, 2010
9:41 am
I saw that and of course I am already a follower. So C Viv’s job evaluation at the AJC is dependent on how many followers he has on twitter?? We are getting to be a People Magazine country more each day. ..sigh…
Alan R.
July 20th, 2010
10:04 am
kraker – I think the AJC is more looking at the exposure of the writers, and the topics those writers cover. I could be wrong, of course, but I would be really saddened if the AJC is putting a priority on how many followers one of their writers has on Twitter.
Darren
July 20th, 2010
10:10 am
Rawhide, NBC Sports wrote an article about your blog:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/atlanta-thrashers-fans-gladly-pass-on-kovalchuk-drama.php
Adam
July 20th, 2010
10:21 am
The way I see it this is really an 11yr. 98.5 million contract with 6 fluff years tacked on. The cap hit should really be 8.955m.
J/F The one thing that sets this contract apart from the others is the term. Hoss’s is 12 & DiPietro’s is 15. Does the League feel that 17 is just to far? I guess we’ll see, but somehow I think not…
If it goes through who wants to lay odds that there will be a 20yr deal before the CBA expires?
The Smooth Spark
July 20th, 2010
10:50 am
Do y’all really think we were involved at all with Kovy in the form of a 5 year offer worth $40 M? I don’t know why Lombardi would say that unless he is citing a 3rd, less-publicized offer / option we offered Kovy last winter? Knowing we have 5 RFA’s due big raises and likely spending $11-12 M on them, why would we use another $8 M on Kovy when we didn’t even spend more than $52 M last season. Seems dubious, but who knows? Perhaps we floated that offer just in case Kovy was having misgivings about NJ and second thoughts about returning to the ATL.
Doing our due diligence I suppose. Would be nice to think we’d be willing to commit at least half that money to Frolov or Stempniak.
The Smooth Spark
July 20th, 2010
10:55 am
News from C-Viv: says on twitter that arbitrator likely to award MacArthur more than $2 M per and the Thrashers will likely walk away thus making him a UFA.
Good luck with that $2 M price-tag Clarke. And cut your hair!!
TableHockey
July 20th, 2010
11:00 am
Buh-Bye Clarkie – the Thrashers are apparently done with their over payments.
Jack
July 20th, 2010
11:06 am
I wonder who if any will be the suitors for King Arthurs court.
kracker
July 20th, 2010
11:12 am
“…arbitrator likely to award MacArthur more than $2 M per…”
Whoop whoop whoop — arbitrator on crack alert!
kracker
July 20th, 2010
11:15 am
Yep, TableHockey. That makes a roster spot available. For a FA, a vet in a trade or for a young ‘un?
World Be Free
July 20th, 2010
11:41 am
Take MacArthur’s money and use it for Max!
Dwayne
July 20th, 2010
11:47 am
Rawhide, congrates on NBC sports recognizing a real writer.
Ilya and Simon are gone. When does Atl. make a move?
Did that crazy Joe Johnson signing do the Thrashers in?
Octotards in full “Slingblade” mode.
Sage:Yall always seem to be deep in thought. Tell me, what are you thinking right now?
Octotard: I was thinkin’, I’m gonna take me some of these taters home with me.
Sage: How about before that?
Octotard: Well, let me think… I was thinkin’ I could use me another couple cans’o that potted meat if ya got any extree
Joe Friday
July 20th, 2010
12:01 pm
Good, did not like MacArthur’s game at all, but that does mean we pissed away two draft picks for nuthin
Dandylions
July 20th, 2010
12:14 pm
Rawhide hits the big time with NBC. (Not really sure why he employed the “strike-through” gimmick there, but to each his own, I guess.) We get the gimmick Rawhide – others are not so sharp.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2010
1:06 pm
J/F- I thought Clarke would have been better. We have to remember that as much as we give Dudley credit, we have to believe that Duds is the guy who went out and got MacArthur. Nobody’s perfect, I guess.